Joyful Tenacity with Nancy J. Martin

"In my memoir, I talk about planning my suicide, and I had it all planned out, and then things came up, and I did not do that. And so now people tell me, I'm very tenacious, and I try to do it in a joyful manner." —Nancy J. Martin There are moments in life that test everything—your body, your spirit, your will to keep going. And in those moments, what carries you forward isn't perfection or certainty, but something steadier: a quiet, determined kind of joy. In this powerful episode, Dr. Kimberly Hubenette sits down with author Nancy J. Martin, who shares her extraordinary journey through a life-altering diagnosis, facial paralysis, abandonment, and the long road of rebuilding a life rooted in resilience, creativity, and connection. Her story doesn't shy away from the hard parts, but it shines a light on what it means to keep choosing life, even when it feels unbearable. From her darkest thoughts to embracing what she calls "joyful tenacity," Nancy opens up about living with visible difference, finding strength through expression, and creating a life filled with meaning, art, and human connection. If this story resonates, support the podcast and help keep these conversations going. Key Topics: • Choosing joyful tenacity in the face of adversity • Living with visible difference in a judgmental world • Finding strength through creativity and self-expression • Moving from despair toward purpose and connection • The role of community in building a meaningful life Connect with Dr. Kimberly: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube Pinterest Episode Highlights: 02:05 Meet Nancy: Widow, Author, Jeweler, Thriver 04:14 The Diagnosis That Changed Everything: Acoustic Neuroma 07:12 A Career in Fashion  09:50 Joyful Tenacity: Surviving Facial Paralysis, Abandonment, and Grief 17:35 How Community Heals 21:32 Facing the World Different: Grief, Public Stares, and Choosing Visibility  29:28 Foodie At Heart Resources:  Books Grid: Once in a Lifetime You Get to Start Over by Dr. Kimberly Hubenette Live, Love, Survive, Thrive! by Dr. Kimberly Hubenette   https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07ZHQ2F12/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=ed0bc148-5c71-4a84-bc01-a37218bef331  Thank you for listening. To keep my podcast alive, Wanna buy my dog Dakota a bone? ☕️https://buymeacoffee.com/livelovesurvivethrive